Global Fund Seeks Record Private Donations amid US Withdrawal from WHO


Global Fund Seeks Record Private Donations amid US Withdrawal from WHO

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Amid growing fears of reduced government contributions, leading global health organizations are intensifying efforts to secure private sector funding, spurred by the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria plans to request nearly a 50% increase in private donations, aiming for $2 billion in its next funding round, Executive Director Peter Sands told Reuters. The formal announcement is expected at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, later this week.

Sands noted the initiative, already planned before the US elections, reflects the increasing fiscal challenges faced by governments globally and rising demand for health aid linked to conflicts and climate change. “We’re raising the bar on what we want to achieve with private sector donors,” Sands said.

In its previous three-year funding cycle, the Global Fund secured $15.7 billion, including $1.3 billion from private sources such as the Gates Foundation, Anglo American, and Takeda. The organization will reveal its total funding target for 2027–2029 later this year.

The US, traditionally the fund's largest donor, pledged $6 billion in the last funding round. However, the country’s recent exit from the WHO under President Donald Trump has sparked concern within the global health community. Trump, inaugurated for a second term on Monday, has also frozen international aid.

“It’s unfortunate that it has come to this point,” Sands said, emphasizing the US's significant contributions to global health and the WHO’s critical role in setting global standards and responding to emergencies. “We need to keep the focus on the human impact, particularly on the poorest and most marginalized.”

The Global Fund awards grants to organizations combating disease and strengthening health systems in affected regions. Meanwhile, the WHO oversees global efforts to track and address epidemics, manage emergencies, and promote universal health care.

Other health organizations are also facing financial challenges. Gavi, the vaccine alliance, aims to raise $9 billion to support childhood immunization in low-income nations. Board documents published in December highlighted concerns about achieving targets amid a slowing global economy, competing aid priorities, wars, and upcoming elections in key donor countries.

Gavi plans to establish a private investor group and diversify funding sources. “Gavi never takes support from donors for granted,” a representative said, acknowledging governments' competing priorities. The US, alongside the UK and Gates Foundation, is among Gavi’s largest donors.

Both the Global Fund and Gavi emphasize the urgency of addressing funding gaps to sustain critical health programs in vulnerable communities worldwide.

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